USB-1608G Series

16-Bit Multifunction DAQ Devices

Features
• 16-bit high-speed USB devices
• Acquisition rates up to 500 kS/s
• 8 differential (DIFF) or 16 single-
ended (SE) analog inputs
• Two 16-bit analog outputs (USB-
1608GX-2AO standard/OEM only)
• Eight individually-configurable
digital I/O lines
• Two 32-bit counter inputs
• One timer output
• Available with enclosure and screw
terminals, or as a board-only OEM All USB‑1608G Series devices offer 16 single-ended or eight differential analog inputs,
version with header connectors (no 8 digital I/O, and one counter input. The USB-1608GX-2AO (shown here) also offers two
case, CD, or USB cable included) analog outputs.

Software USB-1608G Series Selection Chart

Model Analog Sample Analog Signal USB Cable
Supported Operating Systems Inputs Rate (max) Outputs I/O and SW CD
• Windows 8/7/Vista®/XP 32/64-bit
USB-1608G 16 SE/8 DIFF 250 kS/s 0 Screw ✔
−− Universal library (UL), ULx for NI Terminal
LabVIEW™
• Linux® open-source driver support USB-1608GX 16 SE/8 DIFF 500 kS/s 0 Screw ✔
Terminal
• Android™
−− UL for Android USB-1608GX-2AO 16 SE/8 DIFF 500 kS/s 2 Screw ✔
Terminal
Ready-to-Run Applications
USB-1608G-OEM 16 SE/8 DIFF 250 kS/s 0 Header –
• InstaCal™ (install, configure, and
test)
• DAQami™ Advanced Data Logging USB-1608GX-OEM 16 SE/8 DIFF 500 kS/s 0 Header –
Application (acquire, view, and log)
• TracerDAQ® (acquire, view, log, and USB-1608GX-2AO-OEM 16 SE/8 DIFF 500 kS/s 2 Header –
generate)
Supported Programming Environments
• Visual Studio® and Visual Studio
The USB‑1608GX-2AO standard and Trigger Input
OEM version offers two, 16-bit analog
.NET, including examples for Visual USB-1608G Series devices have an
output channels with DAC rates up to
C++®, Visual C#®, Visual Basic®, external digital trigger input. The trigger
500 kS/s.
and Visual Basic .NET, and other mode is software-selectable for edge- or
IDEs level-sensitive mode. You can configure
edge-sensitive mode for either rising or
• Java® (Android only) including
examples and demo apps
Analog Input falling edge. In level-sensitive mode,
USB-1608G Series devices provide you can configure for either high or low
• LabVIEW (Windows only)
16-bit analog inputs that are software- level. The default setting at power up is
• DASYLab®
selectable as eight DIFF or 16 SE inputs. edge-sensitive, rising edge.
• MATLAB® (Data Acquisition
These devices also support input ranges
Toolbox™)
of ±10 V, ±5 V, ±2 V, and ±1 V that are
Overview software-selectable per channel. Retrigger Mode
USB‑1608G Series devices are low-cost, In retrigger mode, you can set up repeti‑
tive analog input trigger events. The
high-speed, analog and digital I/O USB
devices. All of these devices offer up to
Analog Output trigger is automatically re-armed after it
eight DIFF or 16 SE analog inputs, eight (USB-1608GX-2AO only) is activated. Use software to set the A/D
digital I/O channels, two counter inputs, The USB-1608GX-2AO standard/OEM trigger count (the number of samples
and one timer output. board has two 16-bit analog outputs that you want per trigger).
can be updated at a rate of 250 kS/s per
channel; one output can be updated at
a rate of 500 kS/s. The output range is
fixed at ±10 V.

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USB-1608G Series
General Information

USB-1608G Series Block Diagram

Calibration
Voltage
Sources

Mux PGA A/D

8
8
AI
AI SPI

Signal I/O Connector

Signal I/O Connector

USB-1608GX-2AO standard/OEM only

SPI
Amp D/A Registers

Amp D/A Registers

SPI FPGA Trigger
A/D Clock In
A/D Clock Out
Counter In 0
Counter In 1
Timer Out
Bitwise
8 DIO D/A Clock In
Programmable
Protection
DIO D/A Clock Out
USB-1608GX-2AO
standard/OEM
VBUS FIFO Data only
Clock
(5 V) D+/D–
Bus Bus
USB
+16.5 V
- 16.5 V Power Microcontroller with
1.2 V 3.3 V High-Speed
3.3 V Supplies
5V
Always On USB 2.0
ENABLEs Compliant Interface

Crystal
EEPROM
Oscillator

Digital I/O USB-1608G Series devices are factory-calibrated. Specifications

Eight bidirectional digital I/O connections are individually
configurable for input or output. The digital I/O terminals can
detect the state of any TTL-level input. You can configure for
pull-up (+5 V) or pull-down (0 V) with an onboard jumper.
Counter Input
Two 32-bit event counters are provided to count TTL pulses.
The counters accept inputs of up to 20 MHz.
are guaranteed for one year. For calibration beyond one year,
return the device to the factory for recalibration.
USB-1608G Series OEM Versions
OEM versions have board-only form factors with header con‑
nectors for OEM and embedded applications (no case, CD, or
USB cable included). All devices can be further customized to
meet customer needs.

Timer Output
The PWM timer output generates a pulse output with a pro‑
grammable frequency in the range of 0.0149 Hz to 32 MHz.
The timer output parameters are software-selectable.

Clock Output
The AI clock pin outputs the signal from the internal clock.

Calibration The OEM versions have the same specifications as the standard devices,
but come in a board-only form factor with header connectors instead
USB-1608G Series devices support field calibration. Run the
of screw terminals.
InstaCal utility to calibrate the device whenever the ambient
temperature changes by more than ±10 °C from the last field
calibration. Calibrate the inputs before calibrating the outputs.

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USB-1608G Series
Software Support

Software Support
USB-1608G Series devices are supported by the software in the table below.

Ready-to-Run Applications
InstaCal An interactive utility that configures MCC hardware, and for supported devices, per‑
forms calibration tasks. Windows® OS

InstaCal is included with the free MCC DAQ Software bundle (CD/download).

DAQami Advanced data logging application with drag-and-drop software interface that is used
to acquire, view, and log data. DAQami can be configured to log analog channels
and to view that data in real-time or post-acquisition on user-configurable displays.
Windows OS

DAQami is available as a purchased software download.

TracerDAQ and A virtual strip chart, oscilloscope, function generator, and rate generator applications
TracerDAQ Pro used to generate, acquire, analyze, display, and export data. The Pro version provides
enhanced features. Windows OS

TracerDAQ is included with the free MCC DAQ Software bundle (CD/download).
TracerDAQ Pro is available as a purchased software download.
General-Purpose Programming Support
Universal Library Programming library of function calls for C, C++, VB, C# .Net, and VB .Net using
(UL) Visual Studio and other IDEs. Windows OS

The UL is included with the free MCC DAQ Software bundle (CD/download).

UL for Android Programming library of function calls for Java programmers who develop apps for
Android-based tablets and phones. UL for Android communicates with select MCC
DAQ devices. Supports Android project development on Windows, Linux, Mac OS X

UL for Android is included with the free MCC DAQ Software bundle (CD/download).
Linux Driver Open-source Linux drivers are available for most MCC devices. Example programs are
also provided.

Application-Specific Programming Support

ULx for A comprehensive library of VIs and example programs for NI LabVIEW that is used to
NI LabVIEW develop custom applications that interact with most MCC devices. Windows OS

ULx is included with the free MCC DAQ Software bundle (CD/download).

DASYLab Driver Icon-based data acquisition, graphics, control, and analysis software that allows users
to create complex applications in minimal time without text-based programming.

DASYLab is available as a purchased software download. Windows OS

MATLAB Driver High-level language and interactive environment for numerical computation,
visualization, and programming. The Data Acquisition Toolbox, provided by The
Mathworks, allows users to acquire data from most MCC PCI and USB devices.

Visit www.MathWorks.com for more information on MATLAB Data Acquisition

Toolbox support.

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USB-1608G Series
Specifications

Specifications Common Mode Rejection Ratio

fIN = 60 Hz, All Input Ranges: 86 dB
These specifications apply to both USB-1608G Series standard and OEM versions Crosstalk
unless noted otherwise. Adjacent Differential Mode Channels, DC to 100 kHz: –75 dB
Input Coupling: DC
Analog Input Sampling Rate (Software-Selectable)
A/D Converter Type: Successive approximation USB-1608G: 0.0149 Hz to 250 kHz
ADC Resolution: 16 bits USB-1608GX/1608GX-2AO: 0.0149 Hz to 500 kHz
Number of Channels: 8 DIFF, 16 SE; software-selectable Trigger Source: TRIG (refer to “External Trigger” on page 5)
Input Voltage Range: ±10 V, ±5 V, ±2 V, ±1 V; software-selectable per channel Sample Clock Source: Internal A/D clock or external A/D clock (AICKI termi‑
Absolute Maximum Input Voltage nal)
CHx Relative to AGND: ±25 V max (power on); ±15 V max (power off) Burst Mode: Software-selectable using the internal A/D clock; always enabled
Input Impedance: 1 GΩ (power on); 820 Ω (power off) when using the external clock (AICKI terminal)
Input Bias Current: ±10 nA USB-1608G: 4 µs
Input Bandwidth USB-1608GX/1608GX-2AO: 2 µs
All Input Ranges, Small Signal (–3 dB) Throughput
USB-1608G: 750 kHz Software Paced: 33 to 4000 S/s typ, system dependent
USB-1608GX/1608GX-2AO: 870 kHz Hardware Paced
Input Capacitance: 60 pf USB-1608G: 250 kS/s max
Maximum Working Voltage (Signal + Common Mode) USB-1608GX/1608GX-2AO: 500 kS/s max
±10 V Range: ±10.2 V max relative to AGND Channel Gain Queue: Up to 16 elements; software-selectable range for each
±5 V Range: ±10.2 V max relative to AGND channel
±2 V Range: ±9.5 V max relative to AGND Warm-up Time:15 minutes min
±1 V Range: ±9.0 V max relative to AGND

Analog Input DC Voltage Measurement

All Values are (±)
Range Gain Error Offset Error INL Error Absolute Accuracy Gain Temperature Offset Temperature
(% of Reading) (µV) (% of Range) at Full Scale Coefficient Coefficient
(µV) (% reading/°C) (µV/°C)
±10 V 0.024 915 0.0076 4075 0.0014 47
±5 V 0.024 686 0.0076 2266 0.0014 24
±2 V 0.024 336 0.0076 968 0.0014 10
±1 V 0.024 245 0.0076 561 0.0014 5

Noise Performance* Settling Time**

Range Counts LSBrms USB-1608GX/1608GX-2AO
±10 V 6 0.91 Range 2 µS settling 4 µS settling 9 µS settling
±5 V 6 0.91 accuracy accuracy accuracy
±2 V 7 1.06 (% FSR) (% FSR) (% FSR)
±1 V 9 1.36
* For the peak‑to‑peak noise distribution test, a differential input channel ±10 V 0.1251 0.0031 0.0015
is connected to AGND at the input terminal block, and 32,000 samples are ±5 V 0.0687 0.0031 0.0015
acquired at the maximum rate available at each setting. ±2 V 0.0687 0.0031 0.0015
±1 V 0.0687 0.0031 0.0015
Settling Time** ** Settling time is defined as the expected accuracy after one conversion when
switching from a channel with a DC input at one extreme of full scale to anoth‑
USB-1608G
er channel with a DC input at the other extreme of full scale. Both input chan‑
Range 4 µS settling 6 µS settling 10 µS settling nels are configured for the same input range.
accuracy accuracy accuracy
(% FSR) (% FSR) (% FSR)
Analog Output (USB-1608GX-2AO only)
Number of Channels: 2 (leave unused AOUTx output channels disconnected)
±10 V 0.0061 0.0031 0.0015 Resolution: 16 bits
±5 V 0.0061 0.0031 0.0015 Output Range: ±10 V (calibrated)
±2 V 0.0061 0.0031 0.0015 Output Transient
±1 V 0.0061 0.0031 0.0015 Host computer is reset, powered on, suspended, or a reset command is issued
to the device.
Duration: 500 µs
Amplitude: 2 V pk-pk
Powered Off
Duration: 10 ms
Amplitude: 7 V peak
Differential Non-Linearity: ±0.25 LSB typ; ±1 LSB max
Output Current
AOUTx: ±3.5 mA max

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USB-1608G Series
Specifications

Output Short-Circuit Protection External Clock I/O

AOUTx Connected to AGND: Unlimited duration
Terminal Names
Output Coupling: DC
AICKI, AICKO
Power On and Reset State
USB-1608GX-2AO: AICKI, AICKO AOCKI, AOCKO
DACs Cleared to Zero-Scale: 0 V, ±50 mV (AOUTx defaults to 0 V whenever
Terminal Types
the host computer is reset, powered on, suspended, or a reset command is
AxCKI: Input, active on rising edge
issued to the device)
AxCKO: Output, power on default is 0 V, active on rising edge
Output Noise: 30 µVrms
Terminal Descriptions
Trigger Source: TRIG (refer to “External Trigger” on page 5)
AxCKI: Receives sampling clock from external source
Sample Clock Source: Internal D/A clock or external D/A clock (AOCKI termi‑
AxCKO: Outputs the internal sampling clock (D/A or A/D clock) or the pulse
nal)
generated from AxCKI when in external clock mode.
Output Update Rate: 500 kHz/number of channels in the scan
Input Clock Rate
Settling Time
USB-1608G: 250 kHz max
To Rated Accuracy, 10 V Step: 40 µs
USB-1608GX/1608GX-2AO: 500 kHz max
Slew Rate: 9 V/µs
Clock Pulse Width
Throughput
AxCKI: 400 ns min
Software Paced: 33 S/s to 4000 S/s typ, system-dependent
AxCKO: 400 ns min
Hardware Paced: 500 kS/s max, system-dependent
Input Type: Schmitt trigger, 33 Ω series resistor, 47 kΩ pull-down to ground
Calibrated Absolute Accuracy Schmitt Trigger Hysteresis: 0.4 V to 1.2 V
Input High Voltage: 2.2 V min, 5.5 V absolute max
Range: ±10 V
Input Low Voltage: 1.5 V max, –0.5 V absolute min, 0 V recommended min
Absolute Accuracy ( ± LSB): 16.0
Output High Voltage: 4.4 V min (IOH = –50 µA), 3.76 V min (IOH = –2.5 mA)
Calibrated Absolute Accuracy Components Output Low Voltage: 0.1 V max (IOL = 50 µA), 0.44 V max (IOL = 2.5 mA)
Output Current: ±2.5 mA max
Range: ±10 V
% of Reading: ±0.0183 Counter Input
Offset (±mV): 1.831
Terminal Names: CTR0, CTR1
Offset Tempco (µV/°C): 12.7
Number of Channels: 2 channels
Gain Tempco (ppm of Range/°C): 13
Resolution: 32-bit
Analog Output Relative Accuracy Counter Type: Event counter
Input Type: Schmitt trigger, 33 Ω series resistor, 47 kΩ pull-down to ground
Range: ±10 V
Input Source:
Relative Accuracy (INL): 4.0 typ
CTR0 (terminal 52)
Analog Input/Output Calibration CTR1 (terminal 51)
Counter Read/Writes Rates (Software-Paced) : 33 to 8000 reads/writes per
Recommended Warm-Up Time: 15 minutes min second typ, system dependent
Calibration Method: Self-calibration (firmware) Input High Voltage: 2.2 V min, 5.5 V max
Calibration Interval: 1 year (factory calibration) Input Low Voltage: 1.5 V max, –0.5 V min
AI Calibration Reference Schmitt Trigger Hysteresis: 0.4 V min, 1.2 V max
+5 V, ±2.5 mV max (actual measured values stored in EEPROM) Input Frequency: 20 MHz, max
Tempco: 5 ppm/°C max High Pulse Width: 25 ns, min
Long Term Stability: 15 ppm/1000 hours Low Pulse Width: 25 ns, min
AOUTx Calibration Procedure (USB-1608GX-2AO only)
The AOUTx terminals are internally routed to the analog input circuit. For Timer Output
best calibration results, disconnect any AOUTx connections at the terminal
Timer Terminal Name: TMR
block prior to performing AOUT calibration.
Timer Type: PWM output with count, period, delay, and pulse width registers
Digital I/O Output Value: Default state is idle low with pulses high, software-selectable
output invert
Digital Type: CMOS Internal Clock Frequency: 64 MHz
Number of I/O: 8 Register Widths: 32-bit
Configuration: Bit-configurable as input (power on default) or output High Pulse Width: 15.625 ns min
Pull-Up Configuration: The port has 47 kΩ resistors configurable as pull-ups or Low Pulse Width: 15.625 ns min
pull-downs (default) via internal jumper (W1). Output High Voltage: 4.4 V min (IOH = –50 µA), 3.76 V min (IOH = –2.5 mA)
Digital I/O Transfer Rate (System-Paced): 33 to 8000 port reads/writes or single Output Low Voltage: 0.1 V max (IOL = 50 µA), 0.44 V max (IOL = 2.5 mA)
bit reads/writes per second typ, system dependent. Output Current: ±2.5 mA max
Input High Voltage: 2.0 V min, 5.5 V absolute max
Input Low Voltage: 0.8 V max, –0.5 V absolute min, 0 V recommended min Memory
Output High Voltage: 4.4 V min (IOH = –50 µA), 3.76 V min (IOH = –2.5 mA)
Data FIFO:
Output Low Voltage: 0.1 V max (IOL = 50 µA), 0.44 V max (IOL = 2.5 mA)
USB-1608G/1608GX: 4 kS analog input
Output Current: ±2.5 mA max
USB-1608GX-2AO: 4 kS analog input, 2 kS analog output
External Trigger Non-Volatile Memory: 32 KB (28 KB firmware storage, 4 KB calibration/user
data)
Trigger Source: TRIG input
Trigger Mode: Software configurable for edge or level sensitive, rising or falling
edge, high or low level. Power on default is edge sensitive, rising edge.
Trigger Latency: 1 µs + 1 clock cycle max
Trigger Pulse Width: 100 ns min
Input Type: Schmitt trigger, 33 Ω series resistor and 49.9 kΩ pull-down to
ground
Schmitt Trigger Hysteresis: 0.4 V to 1.2 V
Input High Voltage: 2.2 V min, 5.5 V absolute max
Input Low Voltage: 1.5 V max, –0.5 V absolute min, 0 V recommended min

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USB-1608G Series
Ordering Information

Power Ordering Information

Supply Current
This is the total quiescent current requirement and includes up to 10 mA for the
Part No. Description
Status LED. This does not include any potential loading of the digital I/O bits,
+5 V terminal, or the AOUTx outputs (USB-1608GX-2AO only). USB-1608G 16-channel, 250 kS/s device with two 32-bit
Quiescent Current counter inputs, one timer output, and eight DIO
USB-1608G/1608GX: 230 mA lines. Includes USB cable and MCC DAQ software
USB-1608GX-2AO: 260 mA CD.
+5 V User Output Voltage Range (Available at Terminal 43): 4.5 V min to
5.25 V max USB-1608GX 16-channel, 500 kS/s device with two 32-bit
+5 V User Output Current (Available at Terminal 43): 10 mA max counter inputs, one timer output, and eight DIO
lines. Includes USB cable and MCC DAQ software
Environmental CD.
Operating Temperature Range: 0 °C to 55 °C max USB-1608GX-2AO 16-channel, 500 kS/s device with two analog
Storage Temperature Range: –40 °C to 85 °C max outputs, two 32-bit counter inputs, one timer
Humidity: 0% to 90% non-condensing max output, and eight DIO lines. Includes USB cable
and MCC DAQ software CD.
Mechanical
USB-1608G-OEM Board-only USB-based DAQ device with
Signal I/O Connector
16-channels, 250 kS/s sampling, two 32-bit counter
-OEM Models: Two 28-pin, 0.1 in. pitch headers
inputs, one timer output, and eight DIO lines.
All Other Devices: 2 banks of screw-terminal blocks (wire gauge range
16 AWG to 30 AWG) USB-1608GX-OEM Board-only USB-based DAQ device with
Dimensions (L × W × H): 16-channel, 500 kS/s sampling, two 32-bit counter
Standard Version: 127 × 89.9 × 35.6 mm (5.00 × 3.53 × 1.40 in.) inputs, one timer output, and eight DIO lines.
OEM Version: 121.92 × 86.36 × 15.24 (4.80 × 3.40 × 0.60 in.)
USB-1608GX-2AO-OEM Board-only USB-based DAQ device with
16-channels, 500 kS/s sampling, two analog
outputs, two 32-bit counter inputs, one timer
output, and eight DIO lines.

Software also Available from MCC

DAQami Easy-to-use advanced data logging software to
acquire, view, and log data
TracerDAQ Pro Out-of-the-box virtual instrument suite with strip
chart, oscilloscope, function generator, and rate
generator – professional version
DASYLab Icon-based data acquisition, graphics, control, and
analysis software

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Document Revision 6, January, 2015
USB-1608G-Series-data.indd © Copyright 2015, Measurement Computing Corporation